A career game from Gutierrez has fans chanting

CAL 76, UCLA 72

Published 4:00 am, Monday, February 21, 2011

California's Jorge Gutierrez lays up a shot against UCLA during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011, in Berkeley, Calif.

California's Jorge Gutierrez lays up a shot against UCLA during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011, in Berkeley, Calif.

Photo: Ben Margot, AP

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UCLA's Reeves Nelson, right, rebounds past California's Harper Kamp, center, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011, in Berkeley, Calif. At left is UCLA's Brendan Lane (21). less

UCLA's Reeves Nelson, right, rebounds past California's Harper Kamp, center, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011, in Berkeley, Calif. At left is UCLA's Brendan Lane ... more

Photo: Ben Margot, AP

Image 3 of 3

California's Jorge Gutierrez celebrates during the final seconds of overtime during an NCAA college basketball game against UCLA Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011, in Berkeley, Calif.

California's Jorge Gutierrez celebrates during the final seconds of overtime during an NCAA college basketball game against UCLA Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011, in Berkeley, Calif.

Photo: Ben Margot, AP

A career game from Gutierrez has fans chanting

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It's easy to see why Cal fans adore guard Jorge Gutierrez and chant "Hip-hip, Jorge!" when he does something praiseworthy. Sunday night was one of those games, and it came at the best possible time for the reeling Bears.

In 41 minutes of pure hustle and resolve, Gutierrez poured in a career-high 34 points to enable the Bears to defeat UCLA in overtime 76-72 at Haas Pavilion. He had nine points in the extra period, including two free throws at the end to put the game out of reach.

"Jorge - wow!" said point guard Brandon Smith, who had a "wow" moment himself when he hit a three-point shot with 14 seconds left to give Cal a 74-70 lead. "That's the best game I've ever seen Jorge play. He was phenomenal. He took us on his back tonight."

The shy and self-effacing Gutierrez declined to be interviewed after the game. He issued a statement instead, saying, "I was really tired, but I knew my team needed me. I knew they needed my help, so I just kept shooting it. I never looked at the scoreboard. I just kept shooting it, trying to get this win for my team."

It was a win badly needed after four straight Pac-10 losses. The Bears improved to 14-13 overall and 7-8 in conference. UCLA (19-7, 10-4) had its winning streak end at six games.

After first calling Gutierrez's game "fair" in a deadpan moment, Cal coach Mike Montgomery said, "He really is shy. His family is here. He wanted to visit with his family. There's a certain amount of not being comfortable in a situation like this, but that's OK with me if he plays like that."

Gutierrez also contributed six assists, three rebounds, three steals and one blocked shot. He made 11 of 21 shots and was 11-for-12 from the free-throw line.

A bouncing three-point shot at the buzzer by UCLA's Malcolm Lee after Cal didn't foul sent the game into overtime at 60-60. Gutierrez was just as busy in the extra period, scoring Cal's first two baskets and the final two free throws.

However, the biggest bucket in OT was Smith's three-pointer from the right corner with 14 seconds left to give the Bears a four-point margin at 74-70. Smith was 2-for-2 from behind the arc.

"I had a feeling that I was going to get another three," Smith said. "I made sure I was in the corner with good spacing and I stuck it. I had one of those gut feelings (that) tonight might come down to a game-winning shot."

Gutierrez made the first of two free-throw tries with 1:19 left to break a 68-68 tie, and the rebound on the second went to Harper Kamp. A follow shot by center Markhuri Sanders-Frison made for a 71-68 advantage for Cal.

Another advantage was Montgomery's decision before tip-off to have his team play man-to-man defense and attempt to take the game to the Bruins. Gutierrez took the challenge to heart.

Pac-10 men

Club 30

On Sunday night, Jorge Gutierrez became the third Cal player to score at least 30 points in a game this season. In each instance, the Bears went to overtime at home:

Date

Opp.

Player

Pts.

Res.

1/13

WSU

Allen Crabbe

30

W 88-81, OT

2/5

Ariz.

Harper Kamp

33

L 107-105, 3OT

2/20

UCLA

J. Gutierrez

34

W 76-72, OT

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